AJ Magamura is a 4th year business student and marketing major. He is a student-athlete on the men’s soccer team and a student content creator. A big sports fan at heart, he can be found at the athletics complex either playing/training or cheering on his fellow athletes.  

Being an athlete at Acadia and going through exams has been a unique experience and I have been able to get through it successfully over the years through a combination of discipline, support from friends, and trust in my abilities. 

As exam season approaches, it’s a time that brings a mix of emotions for everyone—stress, anxiety, excitement, and joy. For first-year students, this may be your first experience navigating university exams, while for others, it’s a challenge you’ve faced before. No matter where you are in your academic journey, this period represents both the test and the reward of our hard work over the semester. It may sometimes feel overwhelming and never-ending, but believe me when I say we’ve got what it takes to make it through this feeling hopeful, motivated, and successful. 

1. Start with a Plan, and Make Time Your Ally

Alright, let’s tackle time management first. As we’ve heard tons of times before – we’ve all got the same 24 hours, it’s just all about how we use them. If you lay out a clear study plan for yourself and make realistic goals about what you want to cover, you’ll see steady progress. Remember we’re not competing for who can spend the most time in the library, but rather aiming to be effective, focused, and intentional in our study sessions. 

 

2. Balance the Study with Breaks 

Remember that pushing yourself is essential, but taking breaks is just as important. Breaks will look different for all of us; for some it’s taking time to yourself and doing a bit of skincare or maybe it’s playing a couple of games of Fortnite. These breaks are all about allowing your brain to recharge so that you can go into that next period of focus with a fresh perspective. 

3. Acceptance, Not Perfection 

Don’t let anxiety and the pursuit of perfection control the way that you learn. The truth is that: accepting where you are and how much you can achieve is more useful than worrying about what you don’t know. Focus on applying yourself to the best of your abilities with the knowledge that you do have, so that you can keep learning, and moving towards better results each time.   

4. Control What You Can, Let Go of What You Can’t 

We cannot control the external aspects of our exam season, but we can control a lot of the internal things, like how we prepare, our confidence, and how determined we are to succeed. Consistency in our efforts is key – making sure that the best version of ourselves shows up every day and making an effort to truly learn and apply our knowledge. This brings success, even with the challenges along the way.  

 

5. Turning Doubt into Confidence 

It's natural to doubt whether we’re doing enough from time to time, if we’re capable enough, or simply if we’ll remember what we studied. Never forget that we all feel that way sometimes. The best thing to do is channel that energy into every topic you review, and every concept you understand because all those small wins will add up and build a greater sense of confidence and trust in your abilities. 

6. Patience and Resilience: The Unsung Heroes of Exam Prep 

Always remember that good things take time. With every small step forward, we are building a foundation for success. Patience will be your best friend – some topics may require more time than others, and that’s okay. Pushing through these challenges will allow us to adapt and progress towards our goals.  

 

7. Encouragement from Peers Makes a Difference 

Lastly, do not forget the powers of our friends and peers. We’re all in this together and encouragement and motivation from one another can make a big difference. Whether it’s simply saying “good luck” before a test or having a shared study session, the support from people who understand what we’re going through can do wonders and uplift us.   

Wrapping It All Up: Focus on the Journey and the Goal 

As we prepare to take on this exam season, let’s always remember to focus on the academic journey we are on as a whole. Remember that the combination of knowledge, work, and determination is what will be most effective in moving towards our goals. Success isn’t just about the grades we get; it’s about how much we grow and develop as students and individuals. So, let’s make sure that we enter this season with our heads held high, full of confidence, and never leave an exam without saying that we gave it our best. 

Good luck everyone - we’ve got this! 

Exam Prep Resources 

There are lots of resources available on campus to support you during exams including instructor office hours, the Writing Centre, MASH, Accessible Learning Services, and the library.